Ethic Group Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethic Group - Essay Example r areas in Los Angeles, particularly to East Los Angeles, by the 1870s†¦The arrival of immigrants into Los Angeles caused an increase of Hispanics into other areas of the city†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 1 The influx of immigrants definitely changed the face of Los Angeles forever, making it a city that would someday cater more to Latino culture in many aspects, which will be examined in the next section about assimilation. Assimilation has not always been easy, as much of the discrimination that Latinos have faced in L.A. Latinos in Los Angeles have traditionally been labeled as the ethnic group which â€Å"takes away American jobs,† supposedly. However, many times, these jobs are those which no middle-class or even working class American would be likely to want to do. Symbolic interaction theory explains this by basically introducing the concept that â€Å"†¦people give meaning to symbols and that those meanings come to control those people [as a form of] social behaviorism†¦Ã¢â‚¬ 2 Social biases have kept many Latinos from advancing to their full potential because they are pegged as working class people who do not have much means for upward social mobility. Of course, certain parts of L.A. are more conducive and open to Latino culture than others. â€Å"Since the turn of the twentieth century, East Los Angeles in particular has been a center of Latino organizational and cultural life. This has served as an important source of contextual capital for Latino residents.†3 The Latino population is exploding with bursts of growth. By 2000, after one of the most intense periods of immigration in American history, the Latino population had grown to 35 million, or nearly 13 percent of the entire population of the United States... [major] Latino population[s] of the United States live in†¦Los Angeles County (4.2 million)†¦[basically] 46.5 percent [of the population of L.A.]†4 There are many people living in Los Angeles who, for whatever reason, are assimilating to American culture by

Different forms of child abuse Essay Example for Free

Different forms of child abuse Essay Child abuse is a common term for four types of child maltreatment: sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect. Children are usually victims of more than one type of abuse. They could be both sexually and emotionally abused or they could also be physically abused and neglected. In some severe cases, children may suffer from more than two forms of abuse. Child abuse was once viewed as a minor social problem that only affected a handful of U. S. children. In recent years the media and law enforcement has paid close attention to the issue. More than 1,000 children died from abuse in 1996, in the U.S. (1). Approximately 231 children are abused each day. That is 10 children every hour, and one child every six minutes. Each day in the United States, more than three children die as a result of child abuse, in the home. More children, age four and younger, die from child abuse and neglect than any other single, leading cause of death for infants and young children (1). The abusers can be family members, parents, caretakers such as babysitters and teachers, and strangers. Abuse occurs among all ethnic, social, and income groups. Most parents dont hurt or neglect their children intentionally. Many were themselves abused or neglected. Usually the cases that are reported involve poor families with little education. Also common in reports are young mothers, single-parent families, and parental drug or alcohol abuse. The frequency of child abuse is difficult to estimate, due to so many cases going unreported. There are signs, symptoms, and causes to all four types of child abuse. When you have a concern for a childs well-being, the signs or symptoms may help guide you in the process of reporting. Although, these signs, mentioned later, dont necessarily indicate that a child is being abused. A professional, who would be able to determine the abuse, should investigate the possibility. Determining the exact cause of child abuse is almost impossible. In general,  the factors that influence whether abuse will happen is grouped into two categories- internal and external. Lack of social support, economic hardship, and chemical dependency are a few external factors. Some internal factors are: biological, emotional, and psychological. Some factors are as common as low intelligence and range to, as rare as, a severe personality disorder such as Schizophrenia. Isolation is a factor contributing to abuse. When families have difficulties, perhaps from unemployment or other social problems, they may respond in a number of ways. The families that respond by isolating themselves, by withdrawing themselves from neighbors and friends, are the most likely to be abusive. Charles F. Johnson defines sexual abuse as any activity with a child, before the age of legal consent, that is for the sexual gratification of an adult or a significantly older child. Sexual abuse involves fondling, penetration, persuading a child to expose his or her sexual organs, and allowing a child to view pornography. In most of the reported cases the child knew the abuser, and one in five of the abusers were under age themselves. 12% of the confirmed cases reported in 1996 involved sexual abuse. An estimated 10-15% of males and 20-25% of females reported they were sexually abused by age 18 (2). Most sexually abused children never come to the attention of the authorities. There may be no physical signs of harm, but there is always the intense shame, and secrecy is often maintained, even by the adults who know of the abuse, for fear of destroying a family. There is evidence emerging that as many as one in three incidents of child sexual abuse are not remembered by adults who experience them, and that the younger the child was at the time of the abuse, and the closer the relationship to the abuser, the more likely one is not to remember, claims Linda Williams. Convicted rape and sexual assault offenders serving time in State prisons  report that two-thirds of their victims were under the age 18, and 58% of those (nearly 4 in 10 imprisoned violent sex offenders) said their victims were aged 12 or younger. In 90% of the rapes of children less than 12 years old, the child knew the offender. Sixty percent took place in the victims home or at the home of a friend, neighbor, or relative. Two-thirds of sex offenders in state prisons victimized a child. For offenders imprisoned for violent crimes against victims younger than 18 (1994), 15% were convicted of forcible rape, 57% were convicted of other types of sexual assault (lewd acts of forcible sodomy, statutory rape, etc.), about thirty percent reported attacks on more than one child, and more than half the victims were younger than 12. Out of 277 inmate interviews of all prisoners convicted of rape or sexual assault, two-thirds victimized children. Three out of four child victims were female, prisoners convicted of attacking children were mostly male, 97%, and about 22% of the child sex offenders reported having been sexually abused themselves during childhood. Half of the women raped were younger than 18 and 20% were victimized by their father (3). Children often fail to report because of the fear that disclosure will bring consequences even worse than being victimized again. The victim may fear consequences from the family or feel guilty for consequences to the perpetrator. Victims may also have a feeling that something is wrong with me, and that the abused is their fault. The impact of child sexual abuse is tremendous. It is estimated that there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America, today. Approximately 31% of women in prison state they have been abused as children and about 95% of teenage prostitutes have been sexually abused. Young girls who are forced to have sex are three times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders or abuse alcohol and drugs in adulthood, than girls who are not sexually abused (4). There are two different types of indicators of sexual abuse, physical indicators and behavioral indicators. Some of the physical indicators are: 1)Torn, stained or bloody underclothes. 2)Frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections. 3) Bruises or bleeding from external genitalia, vagina, or anal region. 4) Sexual transmitted disease. 5) Pregnancy. Some of the behavioral indicators are: 1)The victims disclosure of sexual abuse. 2)Disturbed sleeping pattern. 3)Difficulty in walking or sitting. 4)Avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes. 5)Sudden decline in school performance. The two prerequisites for this form of maltreatment include sexual arousal to children and the willingness to act on this arousal. Factors that may contribute to the willingness include alcohol or drug abuse, poor impulse control, and a belief that the sexual behaviors are acceptable and not harmful to the child. The chances of abuse are higher if the child is developmentally handicapped or vulnerable in some other way. Often there is no physical evidence of sexual abuse for a doctor to find. In fact, physical examinations of children in cases suspected sexual abuse supply grounds for further suspicion only 15-20% of the time (4). Physical abuse is the nonaccidental infliction of physical injury to a child, such as cut, bruises, welts, and broken bones. The abuser is usually a family member or other caretaker, and is more likely to be male. In 1996,  24% of the confirmed cases of U.S. child abuse involved physical abuse (4). A rare form of physical abuse is Munchausen syndrome by proxy, in which a caretaker, most often the mother, seeks attention by making the child sick or appear to be sick. Skulls and other bone fractures are often seen in young abused children, and in fact head injuries are the leading cause of death in abused children. A few physical indicators of physical abuse are: 1)Unexplained welts or bruises on the face, upper arms, throat, thighs or lower back in unusual patterns or shapes which suggest use of an instrument (electric cord, belt buckle) on an infant in various stages of healing that are seen after absences, weekends, or vacations. 2)Rope burns. 3)Bald patches. 4)Refusal to undress for gym. Some of the behavioral indicators of physical abuse are: 1)Behavioral extremes- withdrawal, aggression, depression. 2)Unbelievable or inconsistent explanation for the injury. 3)Fear of physical contact-shrinking back if touched. 4)Fear of medical help or examination. The usual physical abuse scenario involves a parent who loses control and lashes out at a child. The trigger could be a dirty diaper or crying. Unlike nonabusive parent, who may become upset or angry with their children from  time to time but are genuinely loving, abusive parents tend to harbor deep-rooted negative feelings toward their children. Emotional abuse, also known as psychological abuse, according to Richard D. Krugman, has been defined as the rejection, ignoring, criticizing, isolation, or terrorizing or children, all of which have the effect of eroding their self-esteem. Emotional abuse usually expresses itself in verbal attacks involving rejection, belittlement, humiliation, and so forth. Emotional abuse also includes bizarre forms of punishment, such as confinement of a child in a dark closet. Often psychological abuse accompanies other types of abuse and is difficult to prove. It is rarely reported and accounted for only 6% of the confirmed 1996 cases (3). A few physical indicators of emotional abuse are: 1)Eating disorders- obesity or anorexia. 2)Nervous disorders- rashes, facial tics, hives, etc. 3)Speech disorders- stuttering, stammering, etc. 4)Flat or bald spots on head (infants). A few behavioral indicators of psychological abuse are: 1)Age inappropriate behaviors- bedwetting, soiling, etc. 2)Habit disorders- biting, rocking, etc. 3)Cruel behavior- seeming to get pleasure from hurting another child, adult, or animal. 4)Overreaction to mistakes. Emotional abuse can happen in many different settings: at school, at home, on sports teams, and so on. The forth and final forms of child abuse is neglect. Neglect is the failure to satisfy a childs basic needs and can assume many forms. Emotional neglect is the failure to satisfy a childs normal emotional needs or behavior that damages a childs normal psychological and emotional development, physical neglect is the failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, or supervision, and educational neglect includes the allowance of chronic truancy, failure to enroll a child of mandatory school age in school, and failure to attend to a special educational need. Failing to see that a child receives proper schooling or medical care is also considered neglect. In 1996, neglect was confirmed in over half of the abuse cases (3). Some physical indicators of neglect include: 1)Poor hygiene- lice, diaper rash, body odor, etc. 2)Lack of immunizations. 3)Untreated injury or illness. 4)Poor state of clothing. A few behavioral indicators of neglect include: 1)Chronic hunger or tiredness. 2)Assuming adult responsibilities. 3)Unusual school attendance. 4)No social relationships. Many cases of neglect occur because the parent experiences strong negative feelings toward the child. At other times, the parent may truly care for the child, but lack the ability to adequately provide for the childs needs due to being handicapped by drug abuse, depression, mental retardation, or other problems. As a result, their physical, emotional, social, and mental development is hindered. Young children remain at high risk for loss of life. Between 1995 and 1997, 78% of these children were less than five years of age at the time of their death, while 38% were under one year of age. As for cause of death, 44% of deaths resulted from neglect, 51% from physical abuse, and 5% from a combination of neglectful and physically abusive parenting. Approximately 41% of these deaths occurred to children known to child protective service agencies as current or prior clients (5). Abuse investigators are often a group effort involving medical personnel, police officers, social workers, and others. Careful questioning of the parents is crucial, as is interviewing the child. The investigators must ensure, however, that their questioning does not further traumatize the child. A physical examination for signs of abuse or neglect is, always necessary, and may also include blood tests, x-rays, and other procedures. If the child has sisters or brothers, the authorities must determine whether they have been abused as well. Signs of physical abuse are discovered in about 20% of the sisters and brothers of abused children (4). Child abuse can have lifelong consequences. Research shows that abused children and adolescents are more likely, for instance, suffer emotional problems, do poorly in school, abuse drugs and alcohol, and attempt suicide. As adults they have often have trouble establishing intimate relationships. Notification of the appropriate authorities, treatment of the childs  injuries, and protecting the child from further harm are the immediate priorities in child abuse! Sources All Figures Based Upon The Following: 1.A Nations Shame: Fatal Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States. 2.Child Maltreatment 1998: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. 3.http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/stats.htm 4.http://www.prevent-abuse-now.com/stats2.htm 5.Wang, C.T. Daro, D. (1998). Current Trends in Child Abuse Reporting and Fatalities: The results of the 1997 Annual Fifty State Survey.

Present and Discuss the Views submitted by Socrates and Thrasymachius i

In the first book of the Republic Socrates and Thrasymachus argue about the nature of justice. Thrasymachus claims that justice is the advantage of the stronger. He also claims that Socrates’ arguments against that position stem from a naive set of beliefs about the real intentions of rulers, and an uncritical approach to the way words acquire their meaning. Present the arguments on both sides. Who do you think is right? Justify your position. In the first book of the Republic Plato orchestrates a dialogue between his teacher Socrates and one of his peers Thrasymachus in order to demonstrate the desirable nature of justice. In this essay I shall present Thrasymachus argument that justice is a tool of oppression wielded by the strong over the weak, whereas injustice provides a happy and fulfilled existence, and Socrates notion that justice is a desirable commodity and characteristic that benefits all individuals and is the only way to achieve any common goal. I believe that both philosophers have elements of truth in their arguments, however in the essay I intend to show that it is not possible to agree entirely with either party because of the underlying premise of their argument. I shall demonstrate that neither party has a correct view because they base their arguments on examples whose essence is incompatible with the concept of justice, and refute their claims due to the obvious fallacy of arguing two extremes when con sidering human nature. In the first book of the Republic, Thrasymachus states that justice is not desirable. He describes human behaviour as fundamentally self-interested, and states that justice is ‘an advantage of the stronger’ employed to suppress ‘the weaker’ . He submits the view that injustice is therefore preferable in relation to politics and to common living. Thrasymachus postulates that it is right and just to obey the rules of the state created by the ruling power, but that the ruling power will be making rules that benefit themselves. He supports his claim that the ruling power capitalise upon the weaker party by drawing a parallel between the profession of government and the profession of sheep herding: ‘The shepherd and the herdsman study the good of their flock and herds (for) the good of their masters and themselves’ . He considers that rulers rule with the objective of procuring some profit from them. On a basic level ... ... is in favour of ‘the weaker party’ and is a position of strength that provides a more fulfilling life. However, both arguments attempt to provide an explanation for the nature of justice without defining it and base their arguments on tangible concepts such as crafts and professions in order to give weight to their beliefs. Without a definition of the subject we cannot make a concrete comparison as it is unrealistic to try to prove that the nature of justice is the same as the nature of medicine. In addition, both arguments endeavour to confine human nature to extremes, just and unjust, knowledgeable and ignorant, and good and bad, without acknowledging the depth of the human experience and intermediate levels that we have. The conclusions of these arguments are incongruous with human nature and when we speak of justice, we are trying to define a concept that has distinct links with human nature. Therefore, I cannot say that either of the positions is ‘rightâ €™ as neither acknowledge my nature and have attempted to justify that justice is a commodity to desire or expel without explicating justice itself. Word Count: 2120 Bibliography Plato, The Republic, (Penguin Books, 2003)

A Pragmatic Approach for Comparative Analysis of Linear and Rotary Generators :: Essays Papers

A Pragmatic Approach for Comparative Analysis of Linear and Rotary Generators ABSTRACT This paper identifies the need for consolidating analysis techniques for the purpose of designing linear electrical generation systems. Additionally, it identifies a need for concise system development tools that help designers make practical comparisons between linear and rotary machines. INTRODUCTION The basic principles for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy have been known for over a century. It would seem that after this much time, advancements in electrical generation should have reached their limits; however, up to the late 1980’s and early 90’s the use of linear generators for the generation of electricity has not been seriously considered [1] [4]. Linear generators and motors are classified as linear motion electromagnetic systems (LMESs) [1]. LMESs that are used as electric generators function by directly utilizing the translational (back and forth or up and down) thrust from mechanical systems to generate electricity as opposed to the more conventional generation approach of rotational mechanical energy conversion. For an engineer to determine the feasibility of using a linear electric generator in a system’s design many comparisons between rotary and linear machines must be made. Several points to consider when making this comparison include: practicality of using linear power generation for that particular system, cost to build and design, total system efficiency, role of modern day power electronics, type of driving force (linear or rotational) applied to the generator system, system power factor, force density and force ripple on the drive components, cost to maintain, and the system’s reliability. The relative weights of these considerations will vary from one system to the next. The motivation behind this question was the decision on whether to use a linear or rotary generator on a buoy driven, ocean wave electrical generator project [6]. During this decision process, many opinions and assumptions between these competing systems were made, but finding hard data that compa red the two methods was not readily available. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate the electrical and mechanical technical aspects of this choice (rotary vs. linear) conflicted with the tight scheduling requirements of the project. This situation forced the team to make a best approximation based on limited experience instead of a deliberate and thoroughly evaluated approach. WHY LINEAR GENERATORS ARE USED Electrical energy generation is being expanded by creative innovation, and linear generators are a large part of this trend.

Post Purchase Evaluation Process

Post purchase Evaluation Process Carlie Higdon MAN105 March 9, 2013 Professor Dana Adams Consumer post purchase evaluation is generally affected by pre purchase expectations, The consumer usually does some sort of research to compare prices and such before making a big purchase, a house or a car for example. And the evaluation is whether they are happy or not with what they bought. What is cognitive dissonance (mental discord) you may ask?According to (businessdictionary. com) cognitive dissonance means State of psychological tension arising from incompatibility among a person's attitudes, behavior, beliefs, and/or knowledge, or when a choice has to be made between equally attractive or repulsive alternatives. It boils down to one of those â€Å"Why did I buy that for? † moments. Commonly known as â€Å"Buyer’s remorse. † Let’s see as a personal experience of me having cognitive dissonance.I guess it would be the spear of the moment impulse buys. You know the stuff they put buy the cash registers in stores. I end up getting a lot of that â€Å"As Seen On TV† things at Walmart. Last thing would have to be the â€Å"Bark Off. † Doesn’t work, the dogs just barked at it. I threw it away. But, I was like I could have used that money for something better that I could have actually used. Two products that can cause cognitive dissonance would be a house or a vehicle.Because if your not happy with your purchase that is two things that are hard to take back and get your money back. Now how can marketers and consumers reduce cognitive dissonance? One word â€Å"COMMUNICATION. † Just by the marketers’ talking to the public they can get a better idea of what the consumer wants and needs. References http://www. businessdictionary. com/definition/cognitive-dissonance. html#ixzz2NCPjUHpu

Admonitions and Premonitions

Admonitions and Premonitions Admonitions and Premonitions Admonitions and Premonitions By Mark Nichol Admonition and premonition are two members of a small word family based on a root pertaining to scolding or warning. The family is introduced below. The Latin verb monere, meaning â€Å"advise,† â€Å"express disapproval,† or â€Å"warn,† is the root of admonition and premonition. Admonition and its sister noun admonishment are distinguished by the senses â€Å"warning about behavior† and â€Å"criticism of behavior,† respectively; the verb form, admonish, applies to both senses. A premonition, meanwhile, is a feeling of forewarning not based on conscious thought; unlike admonition, the noun does not take other forms. Monition itself, meanwhile, is a rare noun meaning â€Å"caution† or â€Å"warning.† Summon is also descended from monere, originally in the form of the Latin verb summonere, which means â€Å"warn secretly† (the first syllable is a variant of sub-); the English verb means â€Å"send for,† with the connotation of an imperative; to summon up is to call forth or evoke, as in the notion of summoning up courage or another emotion. Something that can be summoned is summonable, and one who summons is a summoner. Summons is a noun meaning â€Å"an act of summoning,† usually in the form of an order to appear in court; the plural is summonses. Other words based on monere include monitor, which originally referred to one who admonishes, checks, or reminds and came to mean â€Å"guide,† â€Å"instructor,† and â€Å"overseer.† This word has several other distinct senses: First, the monitor lizards, a genus that includes the Komodo dragon, were supposedly named for a habit some species have of standing on two legs or acting otherwise to check on or warn about the presence of predators. Second, a Civil War–era warship armored with iron was dubbed the Monitor with the notion that it would admonish its foes; the name was applied to similar and not-so-similar vessels for the next hundred years. Finally, the use of the word to describe equipment for checking the quality of electronic transmissions led to its employment in reference to display screens for televisions, computers, and other devices. Then there’s monument, from the sense of monere pertaining to reminding: A monument is a written document, record, or tribute; a structure honoring a person or event or something pertaining to a notable person or thing; or a boundary marker. A national monument is one of a class of places set aside by a country for its historic, scenic, or scientific significance. Because of the associations of structural monuments with grandeur, something great or outstanding is said to be monumental; monumentally is the adverbial form. Finally, monster derives from a sense of â€Å"something that warns†: The word describes an abnormal, strange, or terrifying living thing; something cruel, threatening, or ugly; or something especially large or successful. Monster is employed as an adjective as well in the last sense, while monstrous applies for the other meanings and monstrously serves as an adverb. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:50 Incorrect Pronunciations That You Should AvoidWhen to Form a Plural with an Apostrophe"Wracking" or "Racking" Your Brain?

How to Write a Descriptive Paragraph

How to Write a Descriptive Paragraph A descriptive paragraph is a focused and detail-rich account of a specific topic. Paragraphs in this style often have a concrete focus- the sound of a waterfall, the stench of a skunks spray- but can also convey something abstract, such as an emotion or a memory. Some descriptive paragraphs do both. These paragraphs help readers  feel  and  sense  the details that the writer wants  to convey. To write a descriptive paragraph, you must study your topic closely, make a list of the details you observe, and organize  those details  into a logical  structure. Finding a Topic The first step in writing a strong descriptive paragraph is identifying your topic. If you received a specific assignment or already have a topic in mind, you can skip this step. If not, its time to start brainstorming. Personal belongings and familiar locations are useful  topics. Subjects that you care about and know well often make for rich, multilayered descriptions.  Another good choice is an object that at first glance doesnt seem to warrant much description, like a spatula or a pack of gum. These seemingly innocuous objects  take on entirely unexpected dimensions and meanings when captured in  a well-crafted descriptive paragraph. Before you finalize your choice, consider the goal of your descriptive paragraph. If youre writing description for descriptions sake, youre free to choose any topic you can think of, but many descriptive paragraphs are part of a larger project, such as a personal narrative or an application essay. Make  sure the topic of your descriptive paragraph aligns with the broader goal of the project. Examining and Exploring Your Topic After youve selected a topic, the real fun begins: studying the details. Spend time closely examining the subject of your paragraph. Study it from every possible angle, beginning with the five senses: What does the object look, sound, smell, taste, and feel like? What are your own memories of or associations with the object?   If your topic is larger than a single object- for example, a location or a memory- you should examine all of the sensations and experiences associated with the topic. Lets say your topic is your childhood fear of the dentist. The list of details might include your white-knuckled grip on the car door as your mother tried to drag you into the office, the gleaming white smile  of the dental assistant who never remembered your name, and the industrial buzz of the electric toothbrush.   Dont worry about writing full sentences or arranging the details into a logical paragraph structure during the prewriting phase. For now, simply write down every detail that comes to mind. Organizing Your Information After youve compiled a lengthy list of descriptive details, you can begin assembling those details into a paragraph.  First, consider  again the goal of your descriptive paragraph. The details you choose to  include in the paragraph, as  well  as  the details you choose to  exclude, signal to the reader how you feel about the  topic. What message, if any, do you want the description to convey?  Which details best convey that message? Reflect on these questions as you begin constructing the paragraph. Every descriptive paragraph will take a somewhat different form, but the following model is a straightforward way to get started:  Ã‚   A topic sentence  that identifies the topic and briefly explains its significanceSupporting sentences that describe the topic in specific, vivid ways,  using the details youve  listed during brainstormingA concluding sentence that circles back  to the topics  significance Arrange the details in an order that makes sense for your topic. (You could easily describe a room from back to front, but that same structure would be a confusing way to describe a tree.) If you get stuck, read model descriptive paragraphs for inspiration, and  dont be afraid to experiment with different arrangements. In your final draft,  the details should follow  a logical pattern, with each sentence connecting to the sentences that come before and after it. Showing, Not Telling Remember to  show,  rather than  tell, even in your topic and concluding sentences. A topic sentence that reads, I am describing my pen  because I love to write is  obvious telling (the fact that youre describing your pen should be self-evident from the paragraph itself)  and unconvincing (the reader cannot  feel  or  sense  the strength of your love of writing). Avoid tell statements by keeping your list of details handy at all times. Heres an example of a topic sentence that  shows  the subjects significance through the use of detail:  My ballpoint pen is my secret writing partner: the baby-soft tip glides effortlessly across the page, somehow seeming to pull my thoughts down from my brain and out through my fingertips. Edit and  Proofread Your Paragraph The writing process isnt over until your paragraph has been edited and proofread. Invite  a friend or teacher to read your paragraph and provide feedback. Assess whether the paragraph clearly conveys the message you intended to express. Read your paragraph aloud to check for awkward phrasing or cumbersome sentences. Finally, consult a proofreading checklist to confirm that your paragraph is free of minor errors.

Free Essays on Comparative Essay Of The Book And The Film Of Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first in a series of books by J.K Rowling. They follow the adventures of the young wizard, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione, at Hogwarts – The school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The book was first published in 1997 and the film has been long awaited in coming. I first read Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone in the year it was published and heard about the film adaptation eighteen months ago. Initially, I thought that it would be an impossible feat to capture on screen. The book deals with witchcraft and magic and relys heavily on the imagination of the reader. It is ultimately your own imagination that determines how you judge this book. J.K Rowling’s description of events at Hogwarts school allows the reader to escape into another world. The moment you pick up the book, you are living out every fantasy you had as a child. Was it not everybody’s dream at one time to be told you are a wizard with special powers? Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone introduces us to the young wizard as a baby and explains why he is special in the wizarding world. Harry’s parents were both wizards and attended Hogwarts in their day. But along with all of the benefits of being a wizard, there is a dark side. There is an evil spirit in the wizarding world, called Voldemort, who is intent on destroying all things good for witches and wizards. Harry’s parents were killed in a horrific attack by Voldemort when he was just a year old. Voldemort also tried to kill Harry but was stopped by the baby’s special powers. Harry miraculously survived the attack but was left with a reminder of that fateful day, a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightening bolt. As a result of being orphaned, Harry is sent to live with his aunt and uncle and their dreadful son Dudley. The Dursley’s are muggles (non-wizards) and despise Harry and his strange ways, until the day he is sent for ... Free Essays on Comparative Essay Of The Book And The Film Of Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone Free Essays on Comparative Essay Of The Book And The Film Of Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first in a series of books by J.K Rowling. They follow the adventures of the young wizard, Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione, at Hogwarts – The school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The book was first published in 1997 and the film has been long awaited in coming. I first read Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone in the year it was published and heard about the film adaptation eighteen months ago. Initially, I thought that it would be an impossible feat to capture on screen. The book deals with witchcraft and magic and relys heavily on the imagination of the reader. It is ultimately your own imagination that determines how you judge this book. J.K Rowling’s description of events at Hogwarts school allows the reader to escape into another world. The moment you pick up the book, you are living out every fantasy you had as a child. Was it not everybody’s dream at one time to be told you are a wizard with special powers? Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone introduces us to the young wizard as a baby and explains why he is special in the wizarding world. Harry’s parents were both wizards and attended Hogwarts in their day. But along with all of the benefits of being a wizard, there is a dark side. There is an evil spirit in the wizarding world, called Voldemort, who is intent on destroying all things good for witches and wizards. Harry’s parents were killed in a horrific attack by Voldemort when he was just a year old. Voldemort also tried to kill Harry but was stopped by the baby’s special powers. Harry miraculously survived the attack but was left with a reminder of that fateful day, a scar on his forehead in the shape of a lightening bolt. As a result of being orphaned, Harry is sent to live with his aunt and uncle and their dreadful son Dudley. The Dursley’s are muggles (non-wizards) and despise Harry and his strange ways, until the day he is sent for ...

Illegal Immigration in Morocco and Libya Research Paper

Illegal Immigration in Morocco and Libya - Research Paper Example ng the stakeholders involved, effects on human rights, effects the nations of Europe and their overall economic development, and what steps can be taken to rectify these problems. Through such an examination, it is the hope of this author that the reader can come to a more informed understanding of the unique determinants of illegal immigration from North Africa and the means through which Europe can seek to counter this destabilizing influence upon its future development. It does not take a great deal of careful consideration to realize the fact that countless tens of thousands of individuals each and every year risk their lives in whatever material possessions they might have in a desperate bid to enter southern Europe by. Whereas there are many different routes through which this might be accomplished, two of the most common and utilized routes for entering Europe illegally from Africa are via the coast of Morocco and the Libyan port city of Benghazi. Furthermore, although it might be convenient to understand all forms of African immigration into Europe in terms of a generic or similar pattern, the fact of the matter is that the differential between these two ports of entry not be more stark. As a function of seeking to analyze differential to a more full and complete degree, the following analysis will engage the reader with the unique dynamics that separate these two illegal immigration terminals. Before delving headlong into an analysis between these two potential ports of illegal entry into the European Union, it is first necessary to reference the different stakeholders involved. Firstly, and most obviously, the immigrants and it would be themselves are those who were at the most risk within the situation at hand. Secondly, another of culpable stakeholders involved those individuals, games, crime syndicates, and not portions of governance within the nations in question that actively promote and encourage this traffic as a means of enriching themselves.

The proletariat during the Russian revolution Research Paper

The proletariat during the Russian revolution - Research Paper Example The praxis of the proletarian was developed by Lenin in the year 1917 he argued that the proletariats were only interested in the state for a given period of time and that it was never geared towards advocating for separation from the anarchists through the elimination of the state. He further articulated that the best form of revolution was that which could offer defense to itself and that could only be achieved by the form of dictatorship by and for the proletariat. Dictatorship of the proletariat during the Russian revolution was to allow the working class members of the society quelling all manner of opposition, strengthening of political power, gain control over the various means of production and to break up the entire machinery of the bourgeois. The process was to be attained through massive education initiatives that targeted the peasants as well as the small-scale business persons, intellectuals, office and industrial employees so as to equip the m with the necessary skills needed to attain some level of freedom both socially and economically. The initiatives were directed towards coming up with a more democratic system backed by rights and liberties of the humanity as opposed to democratic parliamentarism that was being propagated by bourgeois. Stalin came up with three dimensions in order to develop an understanding of the dictatorship of the proletariat. One is that he considered it as an instrument for the proletarian revolution. Secondly, it was regarded as the rule over the bourgeoisie and finally as a form of Soviet power that represented the entire state. The Communist Party became the stronghold of the proletariat. The key elements during the revolution of the proletariat were based on the ultimate devotion of the people to the revolutionary ideas, proper attendance of classes after work so as to ensure that the works of Marx and Lenin were

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE PLAN Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE PLAN - Assignment Example In evaluating the implementation of a new project or delivery method in an organization, what would be the critical data sources you would use to measure the financial outcomes? In evaluating the implementation of a new project or delivery method in an organization, the best critical data sources one would use to measure the financial outcomes are the balance sheet and income statement, especially in the health care organization. Steven Berger (2007) theorizes the financial analyst can compare the variance between the financial statements indicated as prior to the implementation of the new project or delivery in an organization and the financial statemetns indicated as after the implementation of the new project or delivery in an organization. For example, the financial analyst will determine if the health care organisaton’s sales had increased after the implementation of a new project or delivery method by comparing such sales with the sales generated before the implementatio n of the new project or delivery method. An increase in the sales will indicate the change was beneficial to the health care organization.

Important Symbols in the play Trifles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Important Symbols in the play Trifles - Essay Example Generally, the setting of the play is somewhat focused in the kitchen and the staff. The kitchen stuff is irritably prescribed by men as worthless. Furthermore, there are other things in the kitchen including sewing box, shawl, apron and quilt. These paraphernalia then wonder whether Mrs. Wright is going to not or quilt her half-finished quilt. Susan Glaspell uses symbolism as device to highlight certain issues that afflict women. Additionally, Glaspell ingeniously uses this symbolic feature to bring to the limelight the view and perceptions that men have toward women (Glanspell 45). This point, therefore, brings to us how careful Glaspell was in choosing her characters. Her female characters make us see that men assume that women more often than not, worry unnecessarily about worthless and or unimportant issues. This kind cynicism concludes that it’s only men who associate themselves with important matters that will never across the minds of women, or slip out of their mouths while they are discussing. Come to think of it, the male characters spend in the whole play searching for solutions to solve a murder case. Ironically, however, it is the two female characters, Mrs. Hale and Peters, that is, who finally get the evidence and solve resolutely the murder case, not the two men. Canary bird in the cage is one of symbol that Glaspell brilliantly uses in his play. For one thing, this canary bird represents Mrs. Wright herself and her heart. The bad is capable of singing sonorously, as Mrs. Wright singed in the church before getting married to her husband Mr. Wright. Come to think of it, she is the bird, caged and confined like a prisoners to woes. Mr. Wright is perfect character who represents the cynicism of men who believe that they rightly own women, and that they have well full control over women. Additionally, Mr. Wright represents the notions of men who think that women have no brains at all, to think correctly. For, instance, the manner in which th e name â€Å"Wright† is written connotes that men always think that they are always right, and that they always think wisely (Glanspell 68). Mr. Wright, sardonic act of killing Canary symbolizes that it is right to murder his wife, Minnie’s personality and freedom. Ideally, the bird before it was killed was associated with peace and freedom. Conversely, after Minnie was married to Mr. Wright, she is hardly seen getting out of the house, and stopped singing in the church. Furthermore, she was no longer known as Minnie, but as Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters eventually find out that the real killer of Mr. Wright is his wife. It is at this point that the two women understood Minnie humiliation over staying in place where there is no freedom. For one thing, Minnie wanted a child, but her husband could not allow it to happen. The killing of Mr. Wright symbolizes that women can stay independently without men. The dirty kitchen is also symbolic. To be true, the dirty k itchen offers a symbolic explanation of the messiness of the kitchen. Ideally, the dirtiness of the kitchen also offers a symbolic interpretation of something. It represents that Mrs. Wright Minnie was now liberal. She was not going ever to wait for anyone. She too was no going to ever fear anyone. We also see that the two women, Mrs. Hale, and Mrs. Peters being protective of Mrs. Wright. The two women rose up for Mrs. Wright when she was point blankly criticized for having a dirty kitchen. The two women bravely affirmed that men fail to keep their hands as

Tourism in California and the Environmental Concerns Essay

Tourism in California and the Environmental Concerns - Essay Example Initially, people were inspired by the California dream and left their assets behind and started their journey in search of California they dreamt off. When they reached there, they had to face despair and disappointment as things were not as they perceived it to be. These people then had to go back without any memories or anything to show; at times people did not even reach back safely. The image of California being extravagant and adored is fairly a very recent picture and if one goes in depth of it then there's a very deep history attached to it. The present state of California is because of the hard work and efforts of the miners who were in search of the California dream. Through their struggle, California has been founded And has been transforming its state resulting in the steady ongoing of the heritage of this dream. California dream is not just about this place but it contains an amalgamation of the people and the dream which they are living. This dream is not just about the positives aspects of California but it also contains many different puzzles that need to be fit together in order to see this dream turn to reality. California is a hub of activities with various opportunities that bring numerous opportunities and hence guarantees a successful way to lead a life for all those who reside in California. It is also known as a place where the sun is endless. California is about hard work, efforts, beauty, beautiful tanned women, bright sunny days, and breezy nights. California is one of the most densely polluted countries of the world. Pollution has literally damaged the entire state in such a way that its impact is very obvious. Tourism is an essential part of the California economy. California is one of those countries that are a major tourist attraction; California has the honour of housing the home of all legendary actors that is Hollywood. From amazing shopping malls to Hollywood and an amazing blend of various restaurants, California offers every thing that a tourist wants during vacations. Tourism in California is very expensive.

Important Symbols in the play Trifles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Important Symbols in the play Trifles - Essay Example Generally, the setting of the play is somewhat focused in the kitchen and the staff. The kitchen stuff is irritably prescribed by men as worthless. Furthermore, there are other things in the kitchen including sewing box, shawl, apron and quilt. These paraphernalia then wonder whether Mrs. Wright is going to not or quilt her half-finished quilt. Susan Glaspell uses symbolism as device to highlight certain issues that afflict women. Additionally, Glaspell ingeniously uses this symbolic feature to bring to the limelight the view and perceptions that men have toward women (Glanspell 45). This point, therefore, brings to us how careful Glaspell was in choosing her characters. Her female characters make us see that men assume that women more often than not, worry unnecessarily about worthless and or unimportant issues. This kind cynicism concludes that it’s only men who associate themselves with important matters that will never across the minds of women, or slip out of their mouths while they are discussing. Come to think of it, the male characters spend in the whole play searching for solutions to solve a murder case. Ironically, however, it is the two female characters, Mrs. Hale and Peters, that is, who finally get the evidence and solve resolutely the murder case, not the two men. Canary bird in the cage is one of symbol that Glaspell brilliantly uses in his play. For one thing, this canary bird represents Mrs. Wright herself and her heart. The bad is capable of singing sonorously, as Mrs. Wright singed in the church before getting married to her husband Mr. Wright. Come to think of it, she is the bird, caged and confined like a prisoners to woes. Mr. Wright is perfect character who represents the cynicism of men who believe that they rightly own women, and that they have well full control over women. Additionally, Mr. Wright represents the notions of men who think that women have no brains at all, to think correctly. For, instance, the manner in which th e name â€Å"Wright† is written connotes that men always think that they are always right, and that they always think wisely (Glanspell 68). Mr. Wright, sardonic act of killing Canary symbolizes that it is right to murder his wife, Minnie’s personality and freedom. Ideally, the bird before it was killed was associated with peace and freedom. Conversely, after Minnie was married to Mr. Wright, she is hardly seen getting out of the house, and stopped singing in the church. Furthermore, she was no longer known as Minnie, but as Mrs. Wright. Mrs. Hale and Mrs. Peters eventually find out that the real killer of Mr. Wright is his wife. It is at this point that the two women understood Minnie humiliation over staying in place where there is no freedom. For one thing, Minnie wanted a child, but her husband could not allow it to happen. The killing of Mr. Wright symbolizes that women can stay independently without men. The dirty kitchen is also symbolic. To be true, the dirty k itchen offers a symbolic explanation of the messiness of the kitchen. Ideally, the dirtiness of the kitchen also offers a symbolic interpretation of something. It represents that Mrs. Wright Minnie was now liberal. She was not going ever to wait for anyone. She too was no going to ever fear anyone. We also see that the two women, Mrs. Hale, and Mrs. Peters being protective of Mrs. Wright. The two women rose up for Mrs. Wright when she was point blankly criticized for having a dirty kitchen. The two women bravely affirmed that men fail to keep their hands as

Annual report for Intercontinental Hotels Group plc for the year ended Essay

Annual report for Intercontinental Hotels Group plc for the year ended 31 December 2011 - Essay Example $ in mn Revenue and Profits 2011 2010 % Inc. Sales 1768 1628 8.60 Operating profit 559 444 25.90 Exceptional items 35 15 133.33 Total operating profit 594 459 29.41 Profit before exceptional items 497 382 30.10 Tax -120 -98 22.45 Profit from continuing operations 377 284 32.75 Exceptional items 83 7 1085.71 Net profit including exceptional items 460 291 58.08 Financial position Good will and other intangible assets 400 358 11.73 Other non-current assets 1990 1952 1.95 Total non-current assets 2390 2310 3.46 Current assets 578 466 24.03 Total assets 2968 2776 6.92 Total current liabilities 860 921 -6.62 Total non-current liabilities 1553 1564 -0.70 Total liabilities 2413 2485 -2.90 Shareholders’ funds 555 291 90.72 Total capital employed 2968 2776 6.92 No. of shares 289472651 Shares issued during the year 1075438 Total number of shares 290548089 289472651 Financial Ratios Earnings per share (EPS) Profit from continuing operations/ 1.30 0.98 Number of shares outstanding ROCE Net income/Capital employed 12.70% 10.23% Operating profit margin (Excl. exceptional items) Operating profit /Capital employed 31.62% 27.27% Operating profit margin (Incl. exceptional items) Total Operating profit /Capital employed 33.60% 28.19% Net profit margin after tax (Excl. exceptional items) Net profit after tax excl. excep. items/Capital employed 21.32% 17.44% Net profit margin after tax (Incl. excep. items) Net profit after tax incl. excep. items/Capital employed 26.02% 17.87% Asset turnover Total sales/Total assets 0.60 0.59 Current ratio Current assets/Current liabilities 0.67 0.51 Acid test ratio Quick assets/Current liabilities 0.64 0.49 Receivables collection period Debtors (Trade and other receivables) 369.00 371.00 Total debtors/Sales x 365 76.18 83.18 Payables payment period Creditors (Trade and other payables) 707.00 722.00 Total purchases or cost of sales 771.00 753.00 Creditors/Cost of sales x 365 334.70 349.97 Gearing Total debt/Total equity 4.35 8.54 Interest cove r Interest charges (Interest) 64.00 64.00 Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)/Interest 5.89 4.44 Price earnings ratio Share price as on 31 December ?11.57 ?12.43 Share price / EPS 8.92 12.67 Dividend cover Dividend paid to shareholders 148 121 Dividend paid/Net income 2.55 2.35 Revenue per available room Revenue per available room is up by 6.2% Revenue per room has been calculated by the company by dividing the total room revenue by the number of room nights available. Analysis of the financial performance and position InterContinental Hotels Group is a global hotel company, operating seven highly-respected brands internationally. Total number of rooms operating under IHG brands is 658,348 (4,480 hotels). IHG’s portfolio of brands includes Inter Continental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, The Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. The performance of the management should be viewed in relation to the industry for the purpose of meaningful evaluation. The revenue per availab

Males are the more dominant sex while females are the more submissive sex Essay Example for Free

Males are the more dominant sex while females are the more submissive sex Essay Many times people have confused and even used the terms gender and sex to mean the same thing yet they are not. To others, gender means women. Sex is biological and it is determined by chromosomes and the body chemistry. Gender means socially or culturally acquired characteristics which are then associated to the biological sex. Sex is all about being female or male while gender is being feminine or masculine. Gender is constructed in a social setting. It is learnt. Gender refers to the different roles and responsibilities associated to women and men in society. Gender includes men, women, youths and children. Gender means the appropriate qualities associated to the biological sex. Gender at the structural level influences the division of labor in institutions and organizations. At the symbolic level, it gives an individual personality. It also explains the cultural beliefs and stereotypes of male and female. It is a set of cultural roles. Gender is about how people perceive themselves and how they expect others to behave. Gender is the social meaning attached to men and women. Gender is acquired through interactions with others. That is, caretakers, socialization in childhood and family roles. A child is simply born female or male but through socialization, the child becomes a boy or a girl who later matures to become a man and a woman. The social learning theory with explanations on behaviuor and environment justifies the definition of gender. Gender usually controls the principles of a society. It influences the processes of production, consumption and distribution hence the economic status of a society. ( FAO 1997) Improper understanding of the meaning of gender results into discrimination against women as people of low status. Half of the world’s total populations are women. Women do two thirds of the world’s task yet get an income of one tenth of the worlds total earnings and only own two thirds of the world’s wealth. Norms refer to the behavior expectations within a society. They are the rules that govern the proper and improper values, beliefs, attitudes and behavior of people in society. Norms are customary rules controlling the society way of life. In case of violation, an individual faces sanctions from the society. Gender norm therefore is what is considered right for males and females in society. It is what people expect of you by virtue of being female or male. Gender (norm) expectation is a product of socialization. Agents of socialization such as the family, the school and mass media makes it possible for a child to learn of what is required of him or her through rewards and sanctions. Parents act as role models for their children within the family. For instance, a child that has been brought up in a family where the mother is considered an equal partner in terms of decision making on issues affecting the family and not subordinate, knows that even females have a place in society. A child that grows up in a family where the father helps in caring for the baby grows up with the idea that caring is a virtue of masculinity hence this shapes their gender roles positively. At birth a doctor looks at the child and tells the parent that it is a boy or a girl hence the newborn is already identified by gender. The baby is then taken home and clothed in dressings that help relatives, friends and strangers tell the sex of the baby. Girls being dressed in bright colored cloths such as pink with hair ribbons while boys dressed in pale colored cloths such as grey with football pictures on it. (/www. studyworld. com) This explains how much the society influences our gender roles. As the child grows, the type of playing toys that parents buy them also gives them gender identity. Girls are given baby dolls to dress and take care of which is a symbol of mothering while boys given toy vehicles to drive and blocks to build houses. Parents usually expect their female children to be softer and more caring while the boys to be more active and rough. Boys are appreciated for their achievements and girls for their looks hence this impacts on the children gender socialization differently. As the children grow within the family, parents allocate them household chores according to their gender identities. Girls left behind to wash dishes, look after their younger siblings and cook while boys told to go to the field to graze animals. Children therefore grow up identifying themselves as either feminine or masculine. Gender socialization starts as early as a child is born. The following theories explain this. Psychoanalytic theory which emphasizes on children perception on their genitals and cognitive development theory which focuses that children acquire gender and its stereotypes through their brain processing to understand the social world explains gender socialization process in childhood. Media as an agent of socialization also plays a role in shaping the gender of a child. What the child watches on television, reads on newspaper, sees on billboards and hears on radios influences their gender identity hence their gender roles. Beautiful women used to advertise cosmetics and beauty products and men advertised as heroes in movies. Media always portrays the negative side of women by picturing them as luxurious with nothing to offer except their beauty while picture men as people with ambitions to achieve and this is mostly expressed through advertisements. (www. studyworld. com) Our educational institutions also influence the gender role in various ways. Girls being made monitors to take care of the classrooms while boys appointed prefects to exercise authority in class. Pupils reading books where Jane is always the nurse and Tom is always the doctor. It is the society in which we live in that shapes our thinking, attitude, behavior and way of life. Peer pressure that children experience when they meet their friends also help in confirming the cultural gender roles already acquired from home. Boys who behave like girls in school or girls who behave like boys are usually teased by their peers and even ostracized from the circle of friendship hence this interferes with the child’s ego. The child is then forced to conform to what is perceived as culturally right. Socialization works by rewarding what is wanted and punishing the unwanted character. . Gender norm determines the gender roles. Gender roles are social roles of men and women. They differ from society to society, culture, age, classes and time in history. Gender roles can be manifested through clothing, eating habits, choice of employment and on type of relationships. For instance, women are believed to be a weaker gender and therefore should do lighter tasks such as cooking, laundry and babysitting their children while men are energetic therefore doing heavy tasks out side the home. Culture also shapes the roles played by both men and women. Societies specify women occupations and men occupations. For example, a barber is believed to be a man and any woman who chooses to become a barber is nicknamed as a lady barber. Professions like law and medicine are also believed to be male profession hence women who join such professions are nicknamed as women lawyers and women doctors. On the other hand, occupations such as nursing and health care are believed to be female professions and men who join them are nicknamed as male nurses. However gender roles differ from society to society. In countries like United States, medicine is a profession of men while in Soviet Union, it is a profession of women. In Germany and Taiwan, all barbers in a shop are women. (2) Societies expects a person with masculine features to behave like a man even if that individual is a woman. For example, a woman with a deep voice and beards putting on a woman’s dress and high heeled shoes is ridiculed and unfriendly attention given to her. Many times we assume our gender roles based on our gender identity. That is, any person with external male organs is assumed to be male while an individual with external female organs is assumed to be a woman yet this scenario is not always true. These kinds of people are faced with inconsistent gender role and gender identity . An example of traditionally gender role is males being attracted to females hence lesbians and gays are deviants from this expectation. Gender norms usually lead to gender role stereotypes in which a society expects women and men to behave in a particular manner. Society sees individuals through different types of gender lenses. One is the lens of gender polarization which explains that men and women are not the same and this variance is the pivot factor controlling the social life. Two is the androcentrism lens. It explains that men are superior to women and therefore their decisions are final. Third is the biological essentialism which explains that the above lenses are due to biological difference in sex. Social constructionist views gender as away of fulfilling ones desires. Society thinks that men and women are different; they should therefore be handled differently in terms of development. This difference in handling executes characters and behaviors that lead to gender stereotypes. This practice repeats itself several times through different generations until it becomes a people’s way of life hence impossible to reverse. Children acquire their gender because it is important to society setting thereby making them slaves of their own culture without noticing that other ways of life are also possible. . This change includes both men and women. The greatest change has occurred in terms of attitude and perception. Societies no longer discriminate against women as it was in the past. Women have also acquired a positive attitude within themselves that they have the potential hence can do all gender roles that a man can do. Women today take up tasks that were initially meant for men. Women have joined the workforce. They are now working as either part-time or full time employees in formal sectors and are therefore able to bring food unto the table unlike before where only men were involved in economic task. Change has also occurred in the area of gender violence. It was culturally believed that men should beat their wives to prove their dominance over them. Women were not allowed to take part in issues of decision making within the family. They were seen as inferior gender but this has reversed and they are now able to make contributions to issues affecting the family. The government has also become conscious about gender violence and action is now taken against those who abuse their wives. (Beth and Marx, 1998) Change has also been experienced in educational institutions. In the past societies focused more on the boy child. Boys were taken to school up to higher levels because it was believed that they are the backbone of any society. Girls were discriminated and were only given elementary education and then forced to marry so that the parents get dowry. Today, this trend has changed and we now have more female students in schools and even joining higher levels of education such as the universities. In addition to this, female students are now registering for courses that were initially believed to be technical and meant for men such as engineering. On the other hand, male students are also taking up courses that are believed to be softer such as humanities. Men gender roles have also changed quite significantly. For example, today men are given paternity leaves to help their wives take care of the baby and strengthen the family bond. Governments have also focused more on men to the level of establishing resource centers for them so that they are able to pull their resources together for development. Again, gender mainstreaming programs have been introduced to help ensure that there is equal representation of gender in all sectors, In the sports arena, certain activities that were initially male domain are now participated in by females also. For example, sports like body building, football and boxing were culturally meant for men but today we have female participants in the same. Females are also participating in athletics without any discrimination unlike before where female athletes were accused of being gay. On the other side, sports like handball and indoor games that were traditionally known to be female sports are now encroached by males and they are excelling in them. In the public arena, women are now holding high offices just as men. In the past, a woman’s place was the kitchen and could not contribute to issues of development. Today we see women participating in politics and competing for public offices together with men and they even defeat them. Gender roles have also changed in terms of dressing. Today we see women putting on trousers which were initially men’s clothing. Keeping long hair has been associated with women but today we have males who are also doing their hair and putting own bangles and earrings In occupations such as the military and other forces, we now have female representation. In the past, men were believed to be warriors and strong enough to defend their territories and women were not allowed to participate in wars. Today, we have women soldiers who go to war to defend their states. Household duties that were formally seen as feminine are now encroached by males. For example, we have male cooks working in hotel industries to earn a living, houseboys in various homes to take care of the house. Men beauty parlors doing female hairs and this shows that even gender relations have changed. People today interact freely between different sexes. Even though gender roles have changed, there are still certain impediments to full change. For example, women are still seen as the bosses of the kitchen in the homes. They have two shifts of work. That is, after coming from work they still have to join in cooking and caring for their babies. Again if a child is sick, it is the woman who takes off from work to take the baby to the hospital and remains in the home to nurse the kid until he or she gets well while the father continues to work. In conclusion, I wish to note that, the effects of childhood socialization are so strong that it shapes our adult our adult life. References Blakemore C. and Iversen D. Susan, Gender and Society: Essays Based on Herbert Spencer Lectures: Oxford University Press, 2000B FAO corporate document repository (1997), what is gender? Retrieved December 11, 2008, from http://www. fao. org/docrep/007/y5608e/y5608e01. htm Hess B. B. and Ferree M. Marx (1998), Analyzing Gender: Social Science Research. University of Virginia: Sage Publications Student world (1996-2000), Gender socialization. Retrieved December11, 2008. from http://www. studyworld. com/newsite/ReportEssay/Science/Social%5CGender Socialization-32139.

Factors That Promote Human Trafficking

Factors That Promote Human Trafficking The trafficking of human is a growing epidemic. It is linked to money laundering, document forgery, drug trafficking and international terrorism. This is not an issue that is discussed at the dinner table, on television and in magazines. It is a direct threat to the national security of the United States because money made from human trafficking is directly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. Because freedom of choice and economic gain are at the heart of productivity, human trafficking impedes national and international economic growth. Within the next 10 years, crime experts expect human trafficking to surpass drug and arms trafficking in its incidence, cost to human well-being, and profitability to criminals (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). The emergence of world single market has provided many people around the world with increased prospects of improving their economic plight. Because of this organized crime groups have used this opportunity for personal gain by trafficking other humans. Although the crime of human trafficking is not a new phenomenon, a global single market has increased competition and has intensified the demand for cheaper goods and services worldwide. As a result the impact of globalization and with the possibility for increased profits, it is likely that human trafficking will continue to be a part of human existence. Therefore the United States must recognize any connections between human trafficking and terrorist groups, which are treat to the security of the nation. The issue of the trade or trafficking human beings is still not mainstream as one may think. Most of the publications on this subject have been found to be limited, and analysis of it has largely been based on research reports articles and some coverage by the media. Despite the scarcity and lack of substance of the scientific production in this area, I will try to identify the main parameters of this issue and suggest some areas in which future research is needed. To accomplish this, I am relying primarily on academic works (articles, peer-reviewed periodicals) and research reports and publications. Definition of Human Trafficking The United States is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subject to trafficking in persons. Human trafficking happens in the United States to both U.S. citizens (USCs) and noncitizens, and occurs in every state (Trends in Organized Crime 14, no. 2/3: 267-271). Human trafficking is one of the most pressing issues facing the United States Department of Justice today. It is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion, and resulting in involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery; or commercial sex act, through the use of force, fraud or coercion; or if the person is under 18 years of age, any commercial sex act, whether or not force, fraud or coercion is involved (Wheaton et al). Literature Review In order to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature associated with human trafficking I performed multiple searches of the literature using Google and EBSCOhost search engines. Most of which was done using the EBSCOhost search engine. My initial searches featured a wide array of directly related terms, including: human trafficking, international trafficking, domestic trafficking, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, child prostitution, commercial sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, labor trafficking, labor exploitation, minor and modern day slavery. Most of the research, particularly research published in peer-reviewed journals, was limited to qualitative and quantitative studies. Information on the needs of trafficking victims and the services provided to this population was limited to information contained in Federal reports, non-peer reviewed journals, manuals and fact sheets. Firstly, I will begin by focusing on the role that organized crime seems to be playing in the development of this phenomenon and the extent of its involvement. After which I will provide a brief overview of the legislation that exists to combat the trade in human beings and some other options to be explored. We will conclude by proposing some avenues for further research. Trafficking is big business, but in many regions of the world, such as Southeast Asia, trafficking involves mostly disorganized crime: individuals or small groups linked on an hoc basis. There is no standard profile of traffickers (Feingold, David). This provided a starting point from which the author shows how traffickers come from different social and economic backgrounds. The author then transition into how trafficking kingpins are rare. However, the author fail to give any evidence to dispute whether or not human-trafficking is controlled by large criminal organizations. As the article progresses, the author transition from describing the groups of individuals that are most likely involved in human trafficking to describing how legalizing prostitution will increase trafficking and prosecution will not likely stop traffickers. Despite the political energies expended on human trafficking, there is little evidence that prosecutions have any significant impact on the aggregate levels of trafficking (Feingold, David). In 2010 an article by Tony Illia, and Tom Ichniowski claimed that Arizonas Immigration Law Troubles State Contractors. Arizonas newly enacted immigration law, which was meant to stem human trafficking and drug-related border violence, could have long-term consequences for the states flagging construction industry, in which employment is down 20% from a year ago (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). The author went on to discuss the impact border violence as on innocent lives and how the new immigration law could affect the availability of labor. Just a week after Brewer signed the bill into law, five AK-47-toting, undocumented drug runners shot 53-year-old Pinal County Deputy Sheriff Louie Puroll during his routine patrol south of Casa Grande (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). In an attempt to clarify the issue of trafficking, Senate Bill 1070 and the impact it as on the flagging construction industry in Arizona, the authors state that contractors are concerned about the availability of future labor. The potential fallout includes legal trouble (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). Individuals who are targeted by traffickers are victims of a hideous crime. The supply in the market for human trafficking refers to labor provided by individuals trafficked for both labor and commercial exploitation (Wheaton et al). With this in mind, it seems entirely appropriate to consider the issue of human trafficking to be associated with worker migration. In order to put this into perspective, one should examine both the pressures exerted by social and economic policies in third world countries and the factors associated with the lure of wealthy countries and their demand for low skilled workers. Human traffickers participate in a monopolistically competitive market supplying a product in many forms. The price the trafficker will receive is based on availability of the desired product, characteristics of the product, the number of similar products available, and the negotiating acumen of the human trafficker (Wheaton et al). For many illegal immigrants the road to The American Dream usually leads form their home countries through Mexico and United States border. However, not all illegal immigrants are seeking a better life for themselves and their families. The act human trafficking also provides the opportunity for those wishing harm to the United States. Despite numerous international efforts to break up or stem the avenues used to traffic human, there are still a number of avenues available that potential terrorist can enter the United States undetected. Everyones talking about immigration and its not just Arizona. Although Arizonas Senate Bill 1070 drew attention this year for covering ground in how states tackle immigration, other states will take up the issue next year (Chavers, Mikel). Also of note, the author states that other states may seek to integrate measures that will help immigrants assimilate. Therefore, promote equal wages for all and prevent human trafficking. Although (Chavers, Mikel) address Arizonas new immigration bill, he failed to address what states like Missouri and Tennessee were going to with regards to immigration. Other scholarly articles reviewed concerning human-trafficking and the implications it as on national security focused relaxed laws but did not explain by these laws are not properly enforced. According to (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon) the United States is one of the top ten destinations for trafficked people annually but gave no explanation about what factors contributed to this fact. Conclusion Despite increased attention to the problem of human trafficking into, and most recently within, the United States, knowledge and understanding of the issue remains fairly limited. Very little is known about the prevalence of trafficking and the number of victims; characteristics of the victims and perpetrators; the long-term impacts of human trafficking on victims, their families, and communities; the effectiveness of anti-trafficking programs; and best practices in meeting the complex needs of victims. More specifically, there is little literature on effective programs and services designed specifically for victims of human trafficking. There is a vast amount of research to be done. However, I would like to suggest the following topics in order to gain a better understanding of the problem with respect to host countries. Firstly, there should be more research on other types of human trafficking other than in the sex trade. In addition to data on the types of trafficking, the research should cover existing measures to combat those abuses and to offer support to trafficked persons. Finally, there needs to be research on victims needs at the various stages of their experience, how does trafficking affect their moral judgment and behavior, as well as on the means for combating human trafficking. Methodology and Research Strategy Introduction Human is a growing epidemic. It has been linked to money laundering, document forgery, drug trafficking and international terrorism. The issue of human trafficking is not discussed at the dinner table, on television and in magazines. Human trafficking is used exploit victims for prostitution, sweatshop labor, domestic work, and agricultural work. It is a crime against men, women, and children, who are usually poor and uneducated. They are usually promised a better life and increased economic opportunities; traffickers normally lure their victims into exploitative agreements. Human trafficking is a direct threat to the national security of the United States because money made from human trafficking is directly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. There are several causes for human trafficking, but the fundamental causes are the social and economic forces that function within a society. This leads to the question. What social and economic factors promote human trafficking and the implications on human trafficking on national security? Hypothesis There are numerous policies are in place that address human trafficking. But how is the public made aware of these policies, and how they are used remains questionable. Developed countries such as the United States have a much older population than that of the developing countries; this can lead to a shortage of younger workers who would tend to take up low skill jobs. The shortage of workers for low skill jobs suggests a potential demand for immigrant workers willing to take low skill jobs. Data and descriptive statistics The available data on trafficking is limited and unsatisfactory in many ways and I strongly encourage efforts to collect better data. To overcome some of the problems I used a mixed approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The method used is content analysis. In order to answer the proposed question two articles were examined, they are Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking in the United States, and Economics of Human Trafficking. Both articles were examined with the following independent and dependent variables in mind: Dependent Variable: Opportunity. Opportunity is the fostering of social, economic and political stability, and the reduction both of migration caused by poverty. Also there should be policies that would promote both economic development and social inclusion. Independent Variable 1: Poverty. By improving childrens access to educational and vocational opportunities and increasing the level of school attendance, enhancing job opportunities by facilitating business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises would decrease poverty. Independent Variable 2: Conflict Social Unrest. By promoting good governance and transparency in economic transactions and adopting or strengthening legislative, educational, social, and penal legislation. These factors would discourage the demand that fosters all forms of exploitation of persons that leads to trafficking. Findings and Analysis Introduction A content analysis of these publications shows that the root causes of human trafficking are the greed of criminals, economic pressures, political instability and transition, and social and cultural factors. Some traffickers are involved in other transnational crimes. Criminal groups choose human trafficking because it is high-profit and often low risk, and because human trafficking does not require large capital investment. Trafficking victims fall prey to this practice because they seek a better life and or enhanced economic opportunities. They are vulnerable to false promises of good jobs and higher wages. There are other factors such as political instability, civil unrest, internal armed conflict, and natural disasters result in an increase in trafficking. The destabilization and displacement of populations increase their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse through trafficking and forced labor. War and civil strife may lead to massive displacements of populations, leaving orphans and street children extremely vulnerable to trafficking. In some countries, social or cultural practices contribute to trafficking an example of this is the devaluation of women and girls. Some parents accept payment for their children, with the hope that the children will be escaping a situation of poverty and move to a place where there will be a better life and more opportunities. Risk Factors We know that poverty and vulnerability are powerful predictors of whether a person will be trafficked. We know that governmental corruption plays an important role as well. The lack of employment opportunity pushes the vulnerable across borders and into the chance being controlled by traffickers. Decreasing the incidence of human trafficking requires collaboration across professional fields to discover and handle limited agency (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). In recognition of this problem the United Nations General Assembly has promulgated a Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (2000), which includes a specific protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. One of the key aims of the Convention and the Protocol is to standardize terminology, laws, and practices (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). Poverty, social unrest, government corruption, population pressure, and the perception of opportunity are determining factors of human trafficking. Many of these factors are related. If a country has a young population profile, there can be intense competition for employment and a concomitant lack of perceived opportunity. An individual or household can determine how much labor to provide based on compensation offered for the hours of labor (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). Figure1. Framework for human trafficking Combating Human Trafficking Human trafficking prevention initiatives often involve poverty alleviation programs and awareness. This often times accomplished by establishing what the key drivers of human trafficking are. They may include household income or lack of understanding about trafficking and migration. Research also links poverty, lack of education, and limited understanding about the risk associated with human trafficking .The impact of programs aiming at preventing and or reducing human trafficking has been low and challenging to measure. Despite the attempts to educate those at risk, still, thousands are trafficked every year. It is more complicated in many than simply poverty and lack of knowledge. There is a clear need for the effective of poverty alleviation, awareness, and alternative livelihoods. While it is critical for the US to increase anti-trafficking efforts in regards to trafficking for the purpose of forced labor, trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation still remain s a concern (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). Despite the political efforts on human trafficking, there is little that prosecutions have any significant impact on the levels of human trafficking in the United States. Even with a well-trained law enforcement and judicial system few individuals were given T visa (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). There needs to be policies in place that support limiting immigration without increasing trafficking by forcing many desperate people to smugglers. If people can cross borders to pursue opportunity relatively freely, I would suggest that it is difficult for traffickers to trick or coerce people into being trafficked. It is important to remember that criminals are inventive and opportunistic. They operate in a context of extreme and violent competition. Their conditions of work are dynamic and liable to dramatic and abrupt change. For all these reasons criminals are good at adapting to new situations and new technologies. As new forms of communication, new methods of transportation and new ways of controlling and exploiting people emerge; traffickers will rapidly take them up and subvert them to criminal uses. The challenge to all who would address trafficking in persons is to be prepared for such adaptations, both through applicable law and creative enforcement, and through well-grounded, rigorous research. Many United States citizens are removed from the issue of human trafficking because they view it as an underground industry whose victims are primarily immigrants (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). Conclusion Human trafficking affects more the individual been trafficked. Resources such as jobs for legal migrant workers and public facilities may be used by the illegals, thus displacing resources for legal residents. Poverty is shown to be significant factor that contributes to human trafficking. Some of the most obvious strategies for slowing human trafficking are the following factors: Reduce governmental corruption. Population control measures, especially poverty reduction Increasing educational opportunities Tackling inequalities in wealth Promote subsistence and social guarantees. Conclusion The challenges associated with combating human trafficking and protecting victims are overwhelming. It requires multidimensional approach to address the issue of human trafficking. It should include not only legislative initiatives and crime prevention, but also job training, rights protection, and development initiatives. Effective strategies should be comprehensive and provide for collaboration among governments, and affected communities. Services provided through partnerships, and ongoing outreach and education will produce an effective response to the needs of victims. Working with different groups of trafficking victims represent an untapped wealth of practical knowledge and expertise on how to develop appropriate assistance and treatment programs that victims of human trafficking need.

The Role of the Nurse Educator in Prenatal Care Essay -- Healthy Preg

Many people view childbirth as a joyful and fulfilling event. Writer Paul Carvel stated, â€Å"To witness the birth of a child is our best opportunity to experience the meaning of the word miracle† (as cited in Brill, 2011, Well Pregnancy Links section, para. 3). Irish dramatist, George Bernard Shaw further explained, â€Å"Life is a flame that is always burning itself out, but it catches fire again every time a child is born† (as cited in Moncur, 2010, p. 1). Yet, along with the joy of bringing another human being into this world come concerns about the appropriate medical decisions that need to be made by the mother. It is not uncommon for women to have questions and concerns about what it is they can and cannot do throughout their pregnancy. Undoubtedly, the key to a healthy pregnancy is seeking adequate prenatal care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [Office on Women’s Health] (2009), â€Å"Babies of mothers who do not get prenatal care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight and five times more likely to die than those born to mothers who do get care† (p. 1). This is where the prenatal nurse educator plays a major role. A prenatal nurse educator specializes in prenatal care and has acquired advance knowledge, usually a Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing degree, that ensures that both the mother and the baby are healthy. The prenatal nurse job requirements include performing physical assessments, ordering and interpreting lab results, and teaching various childbirth techniques. The prenatal nurse educator helps aid the expecting mother throughout the prenatal period, during delivery, and even after the delivery of the baby. The nurse educator is able to bet ter prepare expecting mothers fo... ...regnant mother consumes alcohol, it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and crosses the placenta putting the fetus at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), which causes permanent birth defects. â€Å"Approximately 40,000 infants are born with a FASD, a number that has remained unchanged for the past 10 years in the U.S.† (March & Frozena, 2010). Childbirth is a very exceptional experience that comes with its own set of medical anxieties. Babies are continuously being born every day to frightened mothers who do not know what to expect. Prenatal nurses help make childbirth less terrifying by guiding mothers throughout the entire process. As a result, the prenatal nurse profession is growing significantly. Prenatal nurse educators are a great strength to expecting mothers. Prenatal nurse educators help make the experience of giving life more enjoyable.

Tibetan Oracles :: Tibet Religion Papers

Tibetan Oracles In Tibetan tradition, the word oracle, or kuten, literally interpreted means â€Å"the physical basis.† The word oracle is also used to define the spirit which enters into men and women who are acting as a medium between the spiritual and natural realms. Oracles serve as a guide for Tibetans in political decisions, predictions about natural forces, etc. Their decisions help guide internal and external affairs. They most clearly demonstrate their function while in trance. In this mind-altered state prophecies and predictions are made about questions asked. Their answers are taken seriously by Tibetans and high-standing political and religious individuals. The occurrences that take place while in trance cannot all be explained by scientific means and there is some spiritual force acting on the situation. To fully understand Tibetan oracles and their trances, some background information about them must be given. The first recognized Nechung oracle was realized in 1544 AD. This was the first time that the spirit of Nechung was possessed in a human being. The name of oracle was Drag Trang Go-Wa Lobsang Palden. Many oracles used to be present in Tibet, but their numbers have diminished as a result of various factors such as Chinese occupation. However, the phenomenon of oracles still remains central to Tibetan life. The oracle is not only used to predict the future, but they are also sometimes used as protectors and healers. The main function of oracles in Tibet is to answer tough questions about internal and external affairs both religious and political. They way that this is most effectively performed and acted upon is through possession or trance induction. Trance induction in the Tibetan State Oracle is a complex process involving certain physical deprivations and stimuli from various sources of anything from music to hyperventilation. Symbolic elements as well as visualizations induce possession and trance in the oracle. (Ellingson 58) Certain questions about the spirituality of the oracles arise. It could be argued that oracles are taught to act in spiritual ways and that these actions are just reproductions of what they have been taught. Tibetan Oracles :: Tibet Religion Papers Tibetan Oracles In Tibetan tradition, the word oracle, or kuten, literally interpreted means â€Å"the physical basis.† The word oracle is also used to define the spirit which enters into men and women who are acting as a medium between the spiritual and natural realms. Oracles serve as a guide for Tibetans in political decisions, predictions about natural forces, etc. Their decisions help guide internal and external affairs. They most clearly demonstrate their function while in trance. In this mind-altered state prophecies and predictions are made about questions asked. Their answers are taken seriously by Tibetans and high-standing political and religious individuals. The occurrences that take place while in trance cannot all be explained by scientific means and there is some spiritual force acting on the situation. To fully understand Tibetan oracles and their trances, some background information about them must be given. The first recognized Nechung oracle was realized in 1544 AD. This was the first time that the spirit of Nechung was possessed in a human being. The name of oracle was Drag Trang Go-Wa Lobsang Palden. Many oracles used to be present in Tibet, but their numbers have diminished as a result of various factors such as Chinese occupation. However, the phenomenon of oracles still remains central to Tibetan life. The oracle is not only used to predict the future, but they are also sometimes used as protectors and healers. The main function of oracles in Tibet is to answer tough questions about internal and external affairs both religious and political. They way that this is most effectively performed and acted upon is through possession or trance induction. Trance induction in the Tibetan State Oracle is a complex process involving certain physical deprivations and stimuli from various sources of anything from music to hyperventilation. Symbolic elements as well as visualizations induce possession and trance in the oracle. (Ellingson 58) Certain questions about the spirituality of the oracles arise. It could be argued that oracles are taught to act in spiritual ways and that these actions are just reproductions of what they have been taught.

A Prisoner and Yet

A Prisoner and Yet   is an autobiographical piece of non-fiction that was written by Corrie ten Boom two years after her release from the Ravensbruck concentration camp in Nazi Germany. The book is set up in a style that differs from what I am used to. In it, rather than focusing on her story, Corrie addresses individual occurrences she experienced over the course of her imprisonment. Later on, she treats each almost like a parable, using the one to two page subchapter to illustrate either a spiritual or moral lesson for the reader. Over the course of the 170 page book, she addresses a widespread variety of topics including faith, compassion, fear, acceptance of death, courage, strength, sin, love, morality, turning the other cheek, timidity, prayer, covetousness, kindness, and even the bond between brothers and sisters in Christ despite of language barriers. It's really quite remarkable. I started the book thinking the set up would prove awkward and unsettling, but I soon found myself engrossed, incapable of putting the book down. With each flip of the page, my thirst for a definitive ending to Corrie's struggles grew. I was hooked.As an autobiographical account, the hero of A Prisoner and Yet. . . was naturally the author, Corrie ten Boom, and, boy, let me tell you, she was a hero. Selfless and strong-willed, the Dutch watchmaker stood firm in her beliefs even when she had lost everything: her freedom, her family, her country, and even the clothes off her back. The Lord Jesus Christ was her Conqueror. Through His grace and glory, she knew she would be delivered. Corrie did not fear death in the camps. Rather, she embraced the opportunity to spread the Word of God. She preached daily, sometimes up to five times, and prayed with those in need or coming into the faith. It was amazing that someone so oppressed and in such close proximity to death could still have so much hope and conviction. Throughout the book, Corrie attributed much of her survival to the constant companionship of her sister Betsie. Betsie was equally faithful and often provided spiritual guidance when Corrie felt herself straying or in need of extra help. They were inseparable. Sadly, Betsie was a frail thing. She could not carry out heavy labor and became sick easily. Corrie often wondered at her sister's seemingly innocent view of their wretched surroundings. She always looked so peaceful. It was terrible to read when poor Betsie died of sickness, but at least she had gone to a far better place. The story begins with a recollection of the author's life before imprisonment. The readers are given a quick description of the author's home which she shared with her father, Casper Ten Boom, siblings, and an eclectic group of Jews. After the fall of Holland in 1940, the Ten Booms had joined the Dutch resistance, offering a safehouse for God's People. According to the author, â€Å"it was often said (that their house), ‘was the gayest underground address in all the Netherlands'† (ten Boom 7). They were contented, as close to at peace as they could be in such a dark time. Sadly, on February 28, 1944, that peace ended. The ten Boom residence was raided by the Gestapo. Their house was searched and the family was taken into custody. Corrie, her father, and Betsie were transferred to Scheveningen Prison. There, Corrie hardly ever saw the sunlight, spending her days locked in solitary confinement. Later on in her time there, waiting to go on trial, she found out that her father had died shortly after being brought to the prison.She and her sister were reunited when they were sent to Kamp Vught, a political concentration camp. There, conditions were not so bad. They were able to slack off at work and received Red Cross packages and mail from home. Due to her background as a watchmaker, Corrie was given the opportunity to do detailed work on radio parts. After awhile, she and her sister were transferred to a German concentration camp called Ravensbruck. As Corrie aptly described it, the place was hell. They were stripped naked and forced to hand over their belongings before being redressed and sent to barracks where the beds looked more like a line of shelves, tightly packed with women instead of books. Using a bible they had snuck in, the sisters performed worship services with the girls in their barracks daily, keeping up the dwindling morale. Slowly, they became thinner and weaker – Betsie more so than Corrie. Finally, one day in late fall of 1944, Corrie heard the voice of God tell her that her release was drawing near and that she would be free by the first day of winter. This prediction became reality, but sadly fifteen days too late for Betsie. Corrie's sister had gone Home to meet her Maker. The author finished the story by telling of her return to the Netherlands and documenting her decision to open a home which â€Å"would soon be the happy home of people who had been released from the wretchedness of imprisonment† (ten Boom 169). In the end, I believe that Corrie Ten Boom wrote this novel as a testament to the horrors of her experience and to the strengthening of her faith through the experience. A Prisoner and Yet. . . immortalized both her story and, by extent, the stories of many women, men, and children who were held at the various prisons and camps across Europe during the Nazi regime. I am thankful that I stumbled upon it and I would recommend the read to those struggling with their faith, growing in their faith, or merely interested in the treatment of political prisoners in WWII.